The presence of CSIRO in Chile is symbol of an enduring relationship between CSIRO, Australia and Chile.

— Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, the Honourable Julie Bishop MP

At the CSIRO Chile offices opening, the Executive Director, Dr Orlando Jiménez, stated that CSIRO is in Chile for the long term, since there are various topics of mutual interest such as the challenges of mining, integrated watershed management, the development of aquaculture among others.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, the Honourable Julie Bishop MP officially opened the offices of CSIRO Chile on Wednesday 1 July 2015.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, the Honourable Julie Bishop MP officially opened the offices of CSIRO Chile on Wednesday 1 July 2015.

The Honourable Julie Bishop MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, led the CSIRO Chile offices opening, highlighting the applied research developed by CSIRO,through its subsidiary CSIRO Chile.

She recalled to the audience the Chilean Government invitation made, through CORFO, in 2011, to establish an International Centre of Excellence in Mining and Minerals Processing. Stating the relationship became permanent through the CSIRO Foundation Chile Research, promoting an expansion to new areas of research, such as the management of basins, water resources and non-renewable energy technologies.

Additionally, the Minister wanted to pay tribute to the current CSIRO Chile member of the board Mr Alejandro Foxley, “who was the Chilean Foreign Minister at the time, in ensuring that the Chile Australia Free Trade Agreement was negotiated and established and has really seen the ties between Australia and Chile deepened and strengthened and now diversified”.

At the event, Ms Bishop was able to meet dignitaries including José Miguel Burgos, Director of the Chilean Fishing Authority, Crispin Conroy, General Consul for Colombia, Trade Commissioner for Latin America for Austrade and also member of the Board of CSIRO Chile and with Francisco Veloso, in charge of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability of Antofagasta Minerals S.A., among others.

Julie Bishop MP unveiling the plaque at CSIRO Chile.

Julie Bishop MP unveiling the plaque at CSIRO Chile.

Dr Orlando Jiménez concluded that "this event marks a breakthrough in the long-lasting relationship that CSIRO Chile wants to build the development of applied research in the future, with a clear focus on improving the productivity of the economy in Chile".

After unveiling the commemorative plaque at the official opening of the offices of CSIRO Chile, Minister Bishop was interested to learn about of some projects from the portfolio of CSIRO Chile described by the researchers themselves.